Apparatus for operating a physiotherapeutic instrument or other device



H. SHERMAN 2,924,101 APPARATUS FOR OPERATING A PHYSIOTHERAPEUTIC INSTRUMENT OR OTHER DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR HOWELL SHERMAN {I g ATTORNEY Feb. 9, 1960 Filed Jan. 4, 1956 FIG.

Feb. 9, 1960 SHERMAN 2,924,101 APPARATUS FOR RATING A PHYSIOTHERAPEUTIC INSTRUMENT OR OTHER DEVICE Filed Jan. 4. 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 l an!!! ,l l5

g 'l D3 I I0 l4 .munfir 54 l2 i,r INVENTOR a i i HOWELL SHE MAN '5 5111"; !L:::: -J; if-w W, //1

ATTORNEY Feb. 9, 1960 M N 2,924,101

APPARATUS FOR OPERATING A PHYSIOTHERAPEUTIC INSTRUMENT OR OTHER DEVICE Filed Jan. 4, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.3

INVENTOR HOWELL SHERMAN ATTORNEY Feb. 9, 1960 H. SHERMAN 2,924,101

APPARATUS FOR OPERATING A PHYSIOTHERAPEUTIC INSTRUMENT OR OTHER DEVICE Filed Jan. 4, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IIIIZIIIIIIIIEIY- v I x! INVENTOR HOWELL SHERMAN ATTORNEY United States Patent APPARATUS FOR OPERATING A PHYSIOTHERA- PEUTIC INSTRUMENT OR OTHER DEVICE Howell Sherman, Fair Lawn, NJ.

Application January 4, 1956, Serial No. 557,292

17 Claims. (Cl. 74-1) This invention relates, in general, to the art of mechanical movements and more particularly to apparatus for simultaneously imparting a plurality of different movements along corresponding paths to various devices, including devices used in physical therapy procedures.

The apparatus of this invention has wide application. It is especially useful for the purpose of operating devices employed in the treatment of various physical ailments with the aid of sound waves having frequencies substan tially higher than those perceptible to the human ear. Such sound waves are commonly referred to in various branches of the medical profession as ultrasound waves or simply as ultrasound and will be so designatedihereinafter.

Modern ultrasound equipment consists of two basic units, namely an ultrasound generator and an ultrasound transmitter. The transmitter is connected to the generator by a relatively long flexible cable to permit the transmitter to be moved and manipulated, as required. Treatment may be by direct contact of the transmitter with the skin or by indirect contact wherein the part of the body undergoing treatment is immersed in a vessel containing warm water and the transmitter is positioned within the water at a proper distance from the body area concerned. The time for treatment depends on the nature of the ailment and may vary from a fraction of a minute to fifteen minutes, or longer.

Ultrasound has for a number of years been used in leading countries of the world, as a medium for physical therapy, such as in the treatment of neuritis and neuralgia, degenerative joint disease, arthritis, prostatitis and indolent ulcer of the leg. It has been the practice heretofore for the doctor administrating the treatment to hold the transmitter at the desired location and move it over' the area under treatment. This has necessitated the doctor being present in order to manipulate the transmitter manually.

The apparatus of the present invention eliminates the need for the doctor to manipulate the ultrasound trans mitter over the area under treatment. The transmitter may be mounted on the apparatus and the apparatus, when placed in active service, is capable of readily and dependably moving the transmitter along any one, or a combination of, preselected paths. This leaves the doctor free to attend to other patients during the periods that a particular patient is being treated.

The principal object of this invention is to provide apparatus for simultaneously imparting a plurality of difierent movements along corresponding predetermined paths to various devices, such as a device used in physical therapy procedures.

Another object of this invention is to provide apparatus for moving a device along any one or more of a plurality of predetermined paths, as required.

The invention has for a further object the provision of a mechanical movement for simultaneously subjecting a device to any desired combination of vertical, horizontal and/or oscillatory movements.

A still further object of this invention is to provide apparatus of the character indicated that is reasonable in manufacturing cost, that is low in maintenance cost and that is capable of performing its intended functions in a satisfactory and trouble-free manner.

To the end that the enumerated objects may be attained, a preferred and recommended apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention comprises a. support and a vertically disposed oscillatory shaft carried on the support. Mounted on the oscillatory shaft is a first carriage which is oscillatable therewith. A second carriage is mounted on and is reciprocable relative to the first carriage along a horizontal path. The second carriage carries a vertically reciprocable shaft that is spaced from the oscillatory shaft. A device, such as an ultrasound transmitter, is adapted to be removably attached to the lower end of the reciprocable shaft.

The apparatus includes driving means for imparting oscillation to the oscillatory shaft, reciprocation to the second carriage and/or reciprocation to the reciprocable shaft, as desired. The driving means includes a single electric motor and a rotary drive shaft coupled to the motor. The drive shaft carries first, second and third clutches that are adapted to be independently placed in and out of active service. The driving means also includes a first linkage connected to the first clutch and the oscillatory shaft, a second linkage connected to the second clutch and the second carriage, and a third linkage connected to the third clutch and the reciprocable shaft. The parts are so constructed and arranged that the device is adapted to be moved along an arcuate path, a horizontal rectilinear path, a vertical rectilinear path, or any selected combination of such paths.

The electric motor is preferably of a variable speed type whereby the speed of rotation of the drive shaft and therefore movement of the device may be altered,

as required. Also, the various linkages may be adjustable to correspondingly adjust the extent of movement of the device along the referred-to paths of travel.

The objects of the invention, together with the advantages obtainable by the use of the apparatus of this invention, will be readily understood by persons skilled in the art upon reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, which respectively describe and illustrate a preferred and recommended apparatus embodying the invention.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention, certain parts being shown in vertical cross section for better illustration;

Fig. 2 is a view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 in Fig. 6 corresponds to a portion of Fig. 1 and illustrates a modification thereof.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, the illustrated apparatus includes a support 10 consisting of a rectangular base 11 and an upstanding hollow post 12. A shaft 13, that is adapted to be oscillated by devices which will be described fur- 0 ther along herein, is mounted in post 12. A first collar 14 is afiixed to the lower end of shaft 13 by a set screw 15: A second collar 16' is afiixed to shaft 13 immediately above post 12 by a set screw 17. These collars" restrain the shaft against axial movement relative to support .10. A third collar 18 is secured to shaft 13 at the illirstrated'location We set screw 19. Collar 18" has a lateral arm 20.

Mounted on shaft 13 is a generally U-shaped first carriage'Zl consisting of a web 22 and'a pair of parallel upwardly projecting arms 23 and 24. Web 22 isprovided'with a vertical central socket 25 for reception of the upper end of shaft13 and is afiixed to'the shaft by set screws 26'. Web 22 is also provided with a lateral boss 27. Carriage arms 23 and'24 terminate in axially aligned'ho'rizontal bearings 23 and 29, respectively. A stationary shaft 30 is journaled at its ends in bearings 28and-29andis restrained against axial movement and rotary m'over'n'ent by pins 31 and 32. Shaft 30 is formed with 'a'key 33.

A second carriage 34 is reciprocable along shaft 36. Thiscarriage'includes a vertically disposed body 35 having a central bearing sleeve 36 that is coaxial with shaft 301 Sleeve36'is formed with an internal longitudinal groove-37 with'which shaft key 33 registers, permitting reciprocatory'movement of carriage 34 along shaft 30 but preventingangular movement of the carriage relativeto-the shaft. Integral with carriage body 35 is a pair ofdivergent arms 38' and 39 'which' respectively terminate in axially aligned vertical bearings 40 and 41. A sh'aft 42is vertically reciprocable in bearings 40 and 41 (Fig. 1). A sleeve 43 is carried by shaft 42 intermediate bearings 40 and 41 and is adjustably secured to the'shaft by a set screw 44.

A device, such as an ultrasound transmitter 45, is removably secured to the lower end of shaft 42 by a clamping means 46 which comprises a pair of resilient strap elements 47 that are hinged at one end 43 and coupled at their other ends by a bolt 49 and a wing nut 50. Strap'elements 47 are so configured and arranged as to embrace and firmly grip device 45 and the lower end of shaft'42 when the parts are assembled, as illustrated in Fig. l. A flexible cable 51 which is imperviousto water connects ultrasound transmitter 45 to a highdrequency sound generator (not shown).

Reference is next had toFig. 3 which illustrates certain elements of a driving mechanism that coacts with parts'shown in other views for imparting (a) oscillation to shaft 13 and therefore to carriages 21 and 34,

(b) reciprocation to carriage 34 along stationary shaft 30and (c) reciprocation to shaft 42 relative to second carriage '34. The driving mechanism includes an electric motor 52 having a rotary shaft 53. The motor is preferably of'a variable speed type and is mounted'in the usual manner on'a block 54 which is attached to support base 11. Motor shaft 53 is connected to a rotary'driving shaft 55 by a coupling 56. Shaft 55 is supported for rotation at'its' ends by a pair of bearing brackets 57 which are attached to support base 11 by screws 58. Shaft 55' carries a pair of collars 59 which are secured thereto by set screws 60. These collars are positioned against facing ends of bearing brackets 57, as shown, whereby to restrain the shaft against axial movement while permitting r'otary movement.

The driving mechanism also includes a plurality of independent clutches, namely clutches C1, C2 and C3 which are coaxialwith driving shaft 55. Each clutch comprises a pair of members 61 and 62 which are toothed at their facing ends to obtain coupling engagement between the members when they are in the relative positions shown in Fig. 3. Each clutch member 61 is rotatable about shaft 55 but is not movable along theaxis of that shaft. On the other hand, each clutch member 62is slideable along shaft 55 but is not rotatable about the-axis thereof. Thus, member 62 of each clutch is adapted to be moved into and out of coupling engagement with its complementary member 61. Each clutch member'62 has" an annular recess 63.

Clutches C1, C2 and C3 are equipped with corresponding operating levers L1, L2 and L3. The clutch levers are supported on a block 64 and are pivoted thereto, as indicated at 65. Each clutch lever includes an arm 66, which is rounded at its free end 67 for registration with a corresponding annular recess 63, and an actuating handle 68 that is conveniently accessible to the operator.

When the parts are in the relative position shown in Fig. 3, all clutches C1, C2 and C3 are in active service, that is, each clutch member 62 is in operative engagement with its complementary clutch member 61. Any or all of the clutches maybe readily placed out of active service by merely grasping corresponding lever handles 68 and swinging them about their pivots 65 in a direction to effect disengagement of members 62 of selected clutches from members 61'. g V

The driving mechanism additionally'includes aplurality of eccentric discs, namely discs D1, D2 and D3. In'the'construction shown in Figs. 1 to 3, thes'e'discs are'in the form of circular plates. Disc Di is connected to or may be integral with member 61 of clutch C1. Similarly, discs D2 andD3 are connected to or are inte'gral with clutch members 61 of clutchesCZ and C3, respectively. Disc D1 is positioned adjacent one collar 59 while disc D3 is positioned adjacent other collar 59. Disc D2 is positioned adjacent a collar'69 that is affixed to shaft 55 by a'set screw 69'. It will be observed from an examination of Fig. 3 that all discs are rotatable with driving shaft 55 when the clutches are in active service. One or more of the discs may be nullified during use 'of the apparatus, that is, rendered inactive, by merely placing the corresponding clutch out of active service.

Disc D1 is adapted to cooperate with a first linkage arrangement, that will now be described, to impart reciprocatory movement to shaft 42 in response to rotation of drive'shaft 55. Inthis connection, I provide avertically disposed 'plate' 70 (Fig. 1) having an' upper edge 71 and a pair of spaced parallel vertical slots 72; A first pair of vertically spaced laterally projecting pins 73 carried by carriage web 22 registers with one of the plate slots while a second pair of like pins 74 registers with the other plate slot. Pins 73 and 74 are rectangular in transverse section and 'serve as guides for vertical movement of the plate. Pins 73 and 74 are provided with removable rings 73 and 74', respectively, for retaining plate70 in engagement with the pins. The plate carries a laterally projecting pin 75 that registers with a slot 76 in thefree end 'of a rock arm 77 which is pivoted at its other endto carriage lug 27, as indicated at 78.

Aconn'ecting' rod 80 is swivelly coupled at its upper end to rock arm 77 by a first universal joint 81. The conneetinglrod is swivelly coupled at its lower end by a second universal joint 82 to a yoke 83. The yoke is bifurcated at its lower end' to'define aslot 84 for the reception'of driveshaft S5. Yoke 83 carries a roller 85 'that bears against the periphery of disc D1 above drive shaft 55. Itwill beapparent from Fig. 1 that each revolution of eccentric disc D1 imparts one com pletevertical reciprocationto' plate" 70 through the in termediary of yoke 83, connecting rod 80, rock arm 77, pin 75 and guide pins 73. p v

The linkage arrangement under consideration also com prises"meansfor translating vertical reciprocation of i plate/70 to corresponding reciprocation of shaft 42am! second bell prank-91 that is pivoted to second' carriage 34, as indicated at 92. A link 93 is pivotally connected at one end to bell crank 91, as indicated at 94, and is pivotally connected at its other end to sleeve 43, as indicated at 95.

Upward movement of plate 70 relative to carriage 21 imparts clockwise rotation to bell crank 86 about pivot 87, thereby causing corresponding counterclockwise rota tion of second bell crank 91 about its pivot 92. Bell crank 91, in turn, coacts with link 93 to move shaft 42 upwardly from the full line position to the dotted line position of sleeve 43, as shown in Fig. 1. Upon downward movement of plate 70, the parts return by gravity from the dotted line position to the full line position.

Figs. 1 and 3 illustrate a second linkage arrangement that coacts with disc D2 to impart oscillatory movement to shaft 13 in response to rotation of drive shaft 55. This linkage arrangement includes a bracket 96 that is afiixed to support base 11 by screws 97 and that is pivoted at 98 to the lower end of a rock arm 100. A connecting rod 101 is swivelly connected to the upper end of rock arm 100 by a universal joint 102 and is similarly connected to arm 20 of collar 18 by another universal joint 103. Rock arm 100 carries a roller 104 intermediate its ends. This roller bears against the peripheral surface of disc D2 and is maintained in engagement therewith by an expansion spring 100' which is connected at its ends to rock arm 100 and base 11, as shown in Fig. 1.

At such times as motor 52 is energized and clutch C2 is in active service, as shown in Fig. 3, disc D2 rotates with drive shaft 55. This results in rocking movement of rock shaft 100 about pivot 98. Such rocking movement of the rock arm is translated by connecting rod 101, universal joints 102 and 103, and lever 20 into corresponding oscillatory movement of shaft 13 about its axis. It will be appreciated from the foregoing description that oscillation of shaft 13 results in corresponding oscillation of shaft 42 and therefore device 45 about the axis of shaft 13.

Reference is next had to Figs. 2 and 3 for an understanding of a third linkage arrangement that imparts reciprocatory movement to second carriage 34 along stationary shaft 30 in response to rotation of drive shaft 55. This linkage arrangement comprises a bell crank 105 that is pivoted to first carriage 21 at 106. Bell crank 105 has a slot 107 at its upper end to receive a lateral pin 108 that is carried by carriage body 35 and is swivelly connected at its other end to a connecting rod 110 by a universal joint 111. Rod 110 is swivelly connected to a yoke 112 by another universal joint 113. The yoke is provided with a slot 114 which receives drive shaft 55 and carries a roller 115 that engages the peripheral surface of disc D3.

With clutch C3 in active service, as shown in Fig. 3, disc D3 rotates with drive shaft 55. Due to the eccentricity of this disc, rotation thereof actuates yoke 112 and connecting rod 110 in a manner to oscillate bell crank 105 which, in turn, imparts reciprocation to second carriage 34 and the parts carried thereby along stationary shaft 30. For each complete revolution of drive shaft 55 and disc D3, carriage 34 moves from the full line position shown in Fig. 2 to the dotted line position and back to the full line position.

Any or all of the linkage arrangements described earlier herein may be made adjustable by incorporating therein, or substituting for parts thereof, an adjustable means of the character shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Such adjustable means is adapted to readily vary the extent of axial reciprocation of shaft 42, the angle of oscillation of shaft 13 about its axis and/or the extent of reciprocation of the second carriage 34 along the axis of stationary shaft 30.

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate a bell crank 116 having an elongated slot 117 which is defined in part by a pair of parallel guide rails 118. A slide block 120 has a pair of grooves 121 and is adapted to register with slot 117 and slide along rails 118. A plate 122 is removably secured to the slotted end of hell crank 116 by screws 123. Plate 122 has a central tap 124 which is threadedly engaged by an adjusting screw 125 that has a knurled actuating head 126. The inner end portion of screw 125 is formed with an annular groove 127 for reception of a pin type key 128 that is carried by the block and that permits rotation of the screw relative to the block but prevents axial movement of the screw relative to the block. The block carries an indicator 130 that coacts with a scale 131 having a series of graduations 132 for indicating the position of the block with respect to the bell crank.

A universal joint 133 connects slide block 120 to a connecting rod 134. The universal joint comprises a ball member 135 having a through opening 136 and positioned within female member 137 that is threadedly connected to rod 134. A pair of retaining rings 138 maintain ball member 135 within the female member and permit swivel movement of the ball member relative to the female member. A bolt 140 extends through opening 136 and threadedly engages tapped opening 141 in the slide block (Fig. 5). A spacing sleeve 142 is interposed between ball member 135 and slide block 120.

It will be appreciated from an examination of Figs. 4 and 5 that connecting rod 134 may be adjusted relative to hell crank 116 by turning bolt 125 in a direction to move the slide block toward the right or toward the left (Fig. 4), as desired.

Fig. 6 corresponds to a portion of Fig. 1 and illustrates rock arm 100 operatively associated with a cam 143 that is carried by drive shaft 55. In this connection, roller 104 is shown as bearing against the peripheral surface 144 of the cam. Cam 143 is illustrative of one of a wide variety of cam configurations that may be used in lieu of any of discs D1, D2 and D3.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the objects, construction, operation and advantages of my present invention will be readily comprehended by persons skilled in the art, without further description. Although the invention has been herein shown and described in simple and practicable forms, it is recognized that certain parts or elements thereof are representative of other parts or elements which may be used in substantially the same manner to accomplish substantially the same results. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact details described herein, but is to be accorded the full scope and protection of the following claims.

1 claim:

1. In apparatus for operating a device, such as a physiotherapeutic instrument, a support, a rotary first shaft carried by the support, an oscillatory second shaft carried by the support, a carriage connected to and oscillatable with the second shaft, an axially reciprocatory third shaft carried by the carriage, and means responsive to rotation of the first shaft for simultaneously imparting oscillation to the second shaft and reciprocation to the third shaft.

2. In apparatus for operating a device, such as a physiotherapeutic instrument, a support, a rotary first shaft carried by the support, an upstanding oscillatory second shaft carried by the support, a carriage mounted on and oscillatable with the second shaft, an axially reciprocatory third shaft carried by the carriage, said third shaft being spaced from and generally parallel to the second shaft, and means responsive to rotation of the first shaft for simultaneously imparting oscillation. to the second shaft and reciprocation to the third shaft.

3. In apparatus for operating a device, such as a physiotherapeutic instrument, a support, a rotary first shaft carried by the support, an upstanding oscillatory second shaft carried by the support, a carriage mounted on and oscillatable with the second shaft, a reciprocatory:

third shaft carried by the carriage, said third shaft being spaced from and generally parallel to the secondshaft, and means responsive to rotation of the first shaft for simultaneously imparting oscillation to the second shaft and reciprocation to the third shaft, said means including a first clutch connected to the first shaft and the second shaft and a second clutch connected to the first shaft and the third shaft, each of said clutches being adapted to be placed in and out of active service independent of the other clutch.

4. In apparatus for operating a device, such as a physiotherapeutic instrument, a support, a rotary first shaft carried by the support, an upstanding oscillatory second shaft carried by the support, a carriage mounted on and oscillatable with the second shaft, a reciprocatory third shaft carried by the carriage, said third shaft being spaced from and generally parallel to the second shaft, and means responsive to rotation of the first shaft for simultaneously imparting oscillation to the second shaft and reciprocation to the third shaft, said means comprising first and second clutches connected to the first shaft and adapted to be placed in and out of active service independent of each other, a first linkage connected to the first clutch and the second shaft and a second linkage connected to the second clutch and the third shaft.

5. In apparatus for operating a device, such as a physiotherapeutic instrument, a support, a rotary first shaft carried by the support, a carriage carried by and reciprocable relative to the support, a second shaft carried by and reciprocable relative to the carriage, and means responsive to rotation of the first shaft for simultaneously imparting reciprocation to the carriage relative to the support and reciprocation to the second shaft relative to the carriage.

6. In apparatus for operating a device, such as a physiotherapeutic instrument, a support, a rotary first shaft carried by the support, a carriage carried by and reciprocable relative to the support along a generally horizontal path, a second shaft carried by and reciprocable relative to the carriage along a generally vertical path, and means responsive to rotation of the first shaft for simultaneously imparting reciprocation to the carriage relative to the support and reciprocation to the second shaft relative to the carriage, said means including a first clutch connected to the first shaft and the carriage and a second clutch connected to the first shaft and the second shaft, each of said clutches being adapted to be placed in and out of active service independent of the other clutch.

7. In apparatus for operating a device, such as a physiotherapeutic instrument, a support, a rotary first shaft carried by the support, a carriage carried by and reciprocable relative to the support along a generally horizontal path, a second shaft carried by and reciprocable relative to the carriage along a generally vertical path, and means responsive to rotation of the first shaft for simultaneously imparting reciprocation to the carriage relative to the support and reciprocation to the second shaft relative to the carriage, said means comprising first and second clutches connected to the first shaft and adapted to be placed in and out of active service independent of each other, a first linkage connected to the first clutch and the carriage and a second linkage connected to the second clutch and the second shaft.

8. In apparatus for operating a device, such as a physiotherapeutic instrument, a support, an oscillatory first shaft carried by the support, a first carriage connected to and oscillatable with the first shaft, a second carriage carried by and reciprocable relative to the first carriage, a second shaft carried by the second carriage, first means for imparting oscillatory movement to the first shaft relative to the support and second means for imparting reciprocatory movement to the second carriage relative to the first carriage.

9. In apparatus for operating a device, such as a physiotherapeutic instrument, a support, a rotary first shaft carried by the support, an oscillatory second shaft carried by the support, a first carriage connected to and oscillatable with the second shaft, a second carriage carried by and reciprocable relative to the first carriage, a third shaft carried by the second carriage, and means responsive to rotation of the first shaft for simultaneously imparting oscillation to the second shaft and reciprocation to the second carriage relative to the first carriage.

10. In apparatus for operating a device, such as a physiotherapeutic instrument, a support, a rotary first shaft carried by the support, an upstanding oscillatory second shaft carried by the support, a first carriage mounted on and oscillatable with the second shaft, a second carriage carried by and reciprocable relative to the first carriage along a generally horizontal path, a third shaft carried by the second carriage, and means responsive to rotation of the first shaft for simultaneously imparting oscillation to the second shaft and reciprocation to the second carriage relative to the first carriage.

11. In apparatus for operating a device, such as a physiotherapeutic instrument, a support, a rotary first shaft carried by the support, an upstanding oscillatory second shaft carried by the support,. a first carriage mounted on and oscillatable with the second shaft, a second carriage carried by and reciprocable relative to the first carriage along a generally horizontal path, a third shaft carried by the second carriage, and means respon sive to rotation of the first shaft for simultaneously imparting oscillation to the second shaft and reciprocation to the second carriage relative to the first carriage, said means including a first clutch connected to the first shaft and the second shaft and a second clutch connected to the first shaft and the second carriage, each of said clutches being adapted to be placed in and out of active service independent of the other.

12. In apparatus for operating a device, such as a physiotherapeutic instrument, a support, a rotary first shaft carried by the support, an upstanding oscillatory second shaft carried by the support, a first carriage mounted on and oscillatable with the second shaft, a second carriage carried by and reciprocable relative to the first carriage along a generally horizontal path, a third shaft carried by the second carriage, and means responsive to rotation of the first shaft for simultaneously imparting oscillation to the second shaft and reciprocation to the second carriage relative to the first carriage, said means comprising first and second clutches connected to the first shaft and adapted to be placed in and out of active service independent of each other, a first linkage connected to the first clutch and the second shaft and a second linkage connected to the second clutch and the second carriage.

13. In apparatus for operating a device, such as a physiotherapeutic instrument, a support, an oscillatory first shaft carried by the support, a first carriage connected to and oscillatable with the first shaft, a second carriage carried by and reciprocable relative to the first carriage, a second shaft carried by and reciprocable relative to the second carriage, first means for imparting oscillatory movement to the first shaft, second means for iIIl parting reciprocatory movement to the second carriage relative to the first carriage, and third means for imparting reciprocatory movement to the second shaft relative to the second carriage.

14. in apparatus for operating a device, such as a physiotherapeutic instrument, a support, a rotary first shaft carried by the support, an oscillatory secondshaft carried by the support, a first carriage connected to and oscillatable with the second shaft, a second carriage car.- ried by and reciprocable relative to the first carriage, a third shaft carried by and reciprocable relative to the second carriage, and means responsive to rotation of the first shaft for simultaneously imparting oscillation to the second shaft, reciprocation to the second carriage relative to the first carriage and reciprocation to the third shaft relative to the second carriage.

15. In apparatus for operating a device, such as a physiotherapeutic instrument, a support, a rotary first shaft carried by the support, an upstanding oscillatory second shaft carried by the support, a first carriage mounted on and oscillatable With the second shaft, 21 second carriage carried by and reciprocable relative to the first carriage along a generally horizontal path, a third shaft carried by and reciprocable relative to the second carriage, said third shaft being spaced from and generally parallel to the second shaft, and means responsive to rotation of the first shaft for simultaneously imparting oscillation to the second shaft, reciprocation to the second carriage relative to the first carriage and reciprocation to the third shaft relative to the second carriage.

16. In apparatus for operating a device, such as a physiotherapeutic instrument, a support, a rotary first shaft carried by the support, an upstanding oscillatory second shaft carried by the support, a first carriage mounted on and oscillatable with the second shaft, a second carriage carried by and reciprocable relative to the first carriage along a generally horizontal path, a third shaft carried by and reciprocable relative to the second carriage, said third shaft being spaced from and generally parallel to the second shaft, and means responsive to rotation of the first shaft for simultaneously imparting oscillation to the second shaft, reciprocation to the second carriage relative to the first carriage and reciprocation of the third shaft relative to the second carriage, said means including a first clutch connected to the first shaft and the second shaft, a second clutch connected to the first shaft and the second carriage and a third clutch connected to the first shaft and the third shaft, each of said clutches being adapted to be placed in and out of active service independent of the other clutches.

17. In apparatus for operating a device, such as a physiotherapeutic instrument, a support, a rotary first shaft carried by the support, an upstanding oscillatory second shaft carried by the support, a first carriage mounted on and oscillatable with the second shaft, a second carriage carried by and reciprocable relative to the first carriage along a generally horizontal path, a third shaft carried by and reciprocable relative to the second carriage, said third shaft being spaced from and generally parallel to the second shaft, and means responsive to rotation of the first shaft for simultaneously imparting oscillation to the second shaft, reciprocation to the second carriage relative to the first carriage and reciprocation to the third shaft relative to the second carriage, said means comprising first, second and third clutches connected to the first shaft and adapted to be placed in and out of active service independent of each other, a first linkage connected to the first clutch and the second shaft, a second linkage connected to the second clutch and the second carriage and a third linkage connected to the third clutch and the third shaft.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 388,050 Kahler Aug. 21, 1888 681,715 Layne Sept. 3, 1901 932,991 Mandel Aug. 31, 1909 1,195,344 Feller Aug. 22, 1916 1,275,742 Pritchard Aug. 13, 1918 1,323,536 McDaniel et al Dec. 2, 1919 1,586,804 Heskett June 1, 1926 2,169,468 McDougal Aug. 15,1939 

